Automatic circuit-closer.



H. PLYMALE.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CLOSER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. 1915.

1,205,259. Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

sen,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD PLYMALE, OF WEST HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO IRA H. PINKERMAN, OF WEST HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT-CLOSER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

Application filed August 2, 1915. Serial No. 43,230.

and State of West Virginia, have invented;

new and useful Improvements in Automatic Circuit-Closers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic circuit closers and has particular application to a float controlled circuit closer for closing the circuits of electric motor driven pumps.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a float controlled circuit closer which will be found especially useful in connection with water reservoirs and the like and whereby the circuit of the motor connected with the supply pump will be automatically closed when the water level in the tank drops below a certain point, thereby enabling the water to be pumped into the tank so .as to maintain the water supply, and whereby the circuit of the pump will be automatically broken when the level of the water in the reservoir rises to a predetermined .point, thereby preventing overflow.

It is also my purpose to provide an automatic circuit closer of the class described which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efliciency and durability, which will operate efliciently and effectively for its intended purpose and wherein the component parts will be so arranged and correlated as to reduce the possibility of derangement to a With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections between the circuit closer and the motor and the connection between the pump and the tank. Fig. is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertlcal sectional view through the reservoir and circuit closer showing the float in the reservoir. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the reservoir and circuit closer showing a modified arrangement.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, 1 designates a water pump of any suitable construction having an inlet port and an outlet ordischarge port, while 2 designates an electric motor having the armature shaft thereof connected with the pump 1 so that the latter will be operated when the motor is energized.

3 designates a tank or reservoir capable of holding a quantity of water and leading from the discharge port of the pump 1 is a conduit 4 connected with the tank 3 so that the water may be forced into the tank in the I operation of the pump. The motor 2 is connected in an electric circuit 5 including a suitable source of electrical energy and located in the circuit 5 is a double pole single throw switch 6. Connected with theblades of the switch 6 and insulated therefrom is a stem 7 secured to a core 8 adapted to work within a solenoid 9. Disposed within the tank 3 and adapted to rise and fall with the water therein is a float 10 and secured to the float 10 and projecting upwardly therefrom through the upper end of the tank is a rod 11, while disposed parallel to the rod 11 and uprising from the float is a relatively short rod 12 adapted to project through an opening in the upper end of the tank when the float is moved upwardly under the action of the water. Mounted upon the upper end of the reservoir or tank 3 is a circuit closer comprising, in the present instance, a stationary contact jaw 13 and a blade 14 pivoted at one end upon a bracket 15 and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the jaw 13.

16 designates a coiled expansion spring interposed between the lower end of the blade 14 and the top wall of the tank and this spring acts to hold the blade normally out of engagement with the contact jaw 13. The blade 14, adjacent to the free end thereof, is formed with an opening and through this opening is passed the upper end of the rod 11 and such end of the rod is bent at an angle to itself as at 17 so that as the float approaches the bottom wall of the tank, incident to the level of the water in the tank falling, the blade 1s will be swung against the action of the spring 16 into engagement with the contact jaw 13. Appropriately fastened to the top of the tank 3 adjacent to the circuit closer is a latching device. In this instance, the latching device comprises an electro-magnet 17 and an armature lever opposite end adapted to engage the free end of the blade 14 to hold the blade in circuit closing position against the action of the spring 16. A retractile spring 20 has. one end secured to the armature lever 18 and the opposite end fastened to a suitable bracket secured to the top of the tank, the spring. 20

- serving to elevate the armature lever 18 when the magnet 17 is deenergized. The circuitcloser composed of the bracket'15,

' lever 14 and contact jaw'l3, the electromagnet 17, and the solenoid 9, are connected in series with one another in an electric circuit 21 including a suitable source of energy as a'battery- 22.

'In practice, when the Water level in the reservoir 3 falls, the float 10 moves downwardlyand as the float nears the bottom of the tank, the end- 17 'of the rod 11 engages the blade 14.ai1d closes the circuit 21, thereby energizing the magnet 17 and the sole noid 9. When the solenoid 9 is energized, the core 8 is drawn into the same and in the inward movement of the core the blades of the switch 6 are swung to circuit closing po- Y sition, thereby closing the circuit'of the motor 2 so that the pump may be operated. The pump delivers the water to the tank 3 and as the water 'enters the tank the float 10 rises so that the bent end of the rod 11 is disengaged from the blade 14. The blade 14, however, is held against movement to -circuit closing position by the armature lever 18 and the magnet 17. As the float nears the limit of its upward movement, the upper end of the relatively. short rod 12 passes through the corresponding opening in they top wall of the tank and swings the lever 14.

upwardly against the action of the magnet 17 thereby breaking the circuit 21 and de- '-energizing the solenoid 9 and the magnet 17 The blades of the switch 6 are prefervariation may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

If desired, the blade 14 may be pivotedbetween its ends, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and the outer end formed with an opening to receive the rod 11 so that in the downward movement of the rod 11 the controlled circuit will be opened and in the upward movement of the rod 12 the controlled circuit willbe closed. This construction Will'be founil especially useful. on boats and the like when it isdesired to set the pumps in operation afterthe water in the ship has risen above a predetermined level, in the event of leakage or other causes. 1 I

1. A float actuated circuit closer comprising an electroresponsive device for closing said switch, a circuit closer, an electrore- 'sponsive latching device for, holding said circuitcloserin circuit closing position, an

.electric circuit including said solenoid circuit closer and latching device inseries, means holding said circuit closer normally in open position, a float, arod connected to said float for actuating said circuit closer to closed position in one movement of the -float, and a second rod connected to. said float and oper to open position in the reverse movement of the float. I

2. A float actuated'circuit closer compris ing an electroresponsive device connected to said switch for actuating the latter to closed position, a circuit closer, a latching device comprising a magnet, and an armature lever under the control of said magnet and operable therefrom to hold said circuit closer in circuit closing position, an electric circuit including said solenoid, circuit closer and magnet in series, a float actuated rod for actuating said circuit closer to closed position, and'a second' float actuatedrod for moving said circuit closer to open position against the action of said latching device.

3. A float actuated circuit closer compr1s 111g an electroresponsive device connected to said switch for actuating the latter to closed position,a circuit closer, a latching device comprising a magnet, and an armature lever under the control of said magnet and operable therefrom to hold said circuit closer in circuit closing position, an electric circuit including said solenoid, circuit closer and magnet in series, a float actuated rod for actuating said circuit closer to closed position, a second float actuated rod for moving said circuit closer to open position against the action of said latching device, and a spring for holding said circuit closer normally in open position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOWARD PLYMALE.

Witnesses:

PURLEY SULLIVAN, IRA H. PINKER AN;

s0 able therefrom to actuate the circuit closer 1 

